Name and how long you have been in the industry
Hi, My name is Connie Hertich. I have been in this industry for 13 years.
Short background, Anything that drew you in?
Before working at MW Imaging, I worked for a company in a different industry for 18 years. The recession hit and I was a casualty. God works in mysterious was. I say that because at the time of losing my job, I thought “this is horrible”. I was 49 years old thinking no one was going to hire me. I was the Office Manager/ AR/AP/ Personnel person for that company. When I started working there, I was the 6th employee. When I left the company there were over 30 employees. I helped build that company. I was devastated.
2 weeks later my stepdad was told his prostate cancer was back and very aggressive. I decided I was going to sign up for school and get my degree and take care of my stepdad while I look for a job. I had several interviews, but nothing was panning out. Months have now gone by, and no one was hiring. I have taken my stepdad to every appointment and treatment. He was on this journey with me now. Always asking about what is going on, what can he do to help me. He was not getting better and in fact, dying.
I had an interview with MW Imaging, because my sister told her friend Amber Sportsman, I was looking for a job. Amber told her they were thinking of hiring. I thought I needed the interview experience. I had no idea what MW Imaging did or anything about the industry. I went to the interview and met Amber and Bob and everything seemed to go well. I enjoyed learning about what MW imaging did and was very interested in working here. I did not think they would consider hiring me because of my lack of experience.
In the meantime, we had to put my stepdad into a skilled nursing home because he was not going to get better. He was deteriorating very quickly. I stayed with him every night and day, and my sisters took turns during the times I had interviews or school. He was now at the point of not getting out of bed.
After a couple weeks, I got a phone call from Amber Sportsman offering me the job. I was so excited I hung up the phone and told my stepdad I got the job. It was a good offer, and I would be working in the ultrasound industry. He looked at me and smiled and patted my hand. He went to sleep. That night God came and took him. He was hanging on to see that I was taken care of. The reason I say God works in mysterious ways is because, not only did I get a great job at a great company, but I also got a best friend. Not such a short story, sorry.
What roadblocks did you have to overcome?
I had to learn from the start. I had no idea what an ultrasound system was let alone how many different systems there are in the world. I learned what the parts were from an FEC to NAIM board, to power supplies, and Video Cards, and Springs, I mean everything. And then came the probe side of things. Good gosh, I think there are thousands of them. Lol Amber was a great mentor and teacher. With her guidance and patience, she taught me everything. I am still learning new things everyday, and I love that part of this job.
What do you feel makes a great leader in this industry?
Honesty, Patience, understanding, work ethics and attitude. Also to be a great leader in anything you need to lead by example.
What advice to you have for the other women in HTM?
Have a great attitude. Find people in the industry that you can learn from. Let them know they are teaching you. Have confidence in yourself and don’t get overconfident. Don’t tear down other women in the industry to make yourself look better. Be the person that others want to be. And build each other up. Have faith that what is supposed to happen will happen if you work for it.